On the Third Day of Christmas Cookies

My Gingerbread Girl SCOUT - hee hee!

I've been up to my eyeballs in Christmas Cookie Decorating for the past two days.  It has been fun but EXHAUSTING to say the least.  Especially when you have to make them twice!!  If they weren't so maddeningly delicious, I would wonder why I bother - but I'm telling you, these are THE BEST cut out sugar cookies you will ever taste!!  EVER!!

And a shout out to my BFF for the recipe - and the great tradition it has become at our house!!  I promise, these cookies will make you a STAR!

Amy's Sugar Cookies

1 C butter
1 1/2 C sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
3 3/4 C flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt (must have salt)

Cream butter and sugar in mixer.  Add eggs.  Sift dry ingredients together and add to mixture.  Add vanilla and mix until smooth.  This dough will be very sticky!  Refrigerate overnight.  Roll out onto well floured surface and cut into shapes.  Do not overwork dough - it becomes very elastic!!  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 8-10 minutes.  Cool completely and decorate with Buttercream Frosting.

Cut out Cookies may seem like A LOT of work but these are definitely worth the effort!!

Buttercream Frosting

1 stick of butter
1 bag or 2 boxes of powdered sugar
1 tap. vanilla
milk or water to desired thickness

Combine all ingredients.  Separate and add food colors.  Place in pastry bags or Ziplock freezer bags to decorate.  If it gets too runny with handling, simply put back in the fridge to cool for a few minutes.  Will make 5-6 bags of different colors.  When using on sugar cookies, let iced cookies sit out overnight (if you don't eat them all first!!) to allow icing to harden.

Don't forget to add your own Christmas favorites to my Christmas Cookie Exchange!